Friday, January 23, 2009

diary of a wannabe runner, part 1monday night, approximately 6:30 p.m.nama & matt's apartmentnama (who has never successfully run 1 mile in her life): remember your idea of going for a run after i get off of work?

matt (who successfully ran a 10 mile race last june): yes.

nama: we should really start doing that this week.

matt: are you sure?

nama (looking down at the few extra pounds that have found a nice home around her mid-section since the marriage last year): yes.

tuesday, approximately 5:00 p.m.nama and matt start running on a approximately 3-mile dirt track. internal monologue nama: this is fun! running is fun!

tuesday, approximately 5:05 p.m.i.m.n.: the wall! i've hit the wall!!

tuesday, approximately 5:50 p.m.nama and matt (un)successfully finish their 3 mile run/walkmatt: how are you feeling?

nama: alright. we should totally do this again tomorrow. and the next day.

wednesdaynama has woken up completely stuffed up and feels like crap.matt decides to do the 3-mile run by himself, which he completes successfully. loser.

thursday, approximately 4:15 p.m.even though she can't breath and her head is spinning, nama decides to do a shorter run to ease her really sore running muscles.

I'm proud of you, I just started a running program so I know how hard it is keep it up. My weightlifting teacher said it takes like 6 weeks to have visible results, and even though I think running might be faster, don't get discouraged.

Ah... the 5 minute wall... we are acquainted. I have a treadmill that gets really really steep if I let it so I just make myself walk up steep hills while I watch Jackie Chan movies. Running is overrated.

A couple of things to add to what I already told ya, since I'm such a running expert and everything: It's actually a lot harder on your body to run every day and it won't help you see results faster. Your body needs time to rest and repair, so try every other day. When you're just starting out, three days a week should probably do it. Work on endurance first and worry about speed later. Make sure you've got a good pair of shoes. So much pain and anguish can be avoided if you're running in a decent pair of shoes. And use that training plan I showed you. It's tops.